'Crimes of the Heart' takes on a unique adaptation

Theatre-goers will see a unique adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Crimes of the Heart" at Augustana.

A dark comedy, "Crimes of the Heart"  is set in Mississippi in the mid-20th century. It is the story of three sisters who reunite after one shoots her abusive husband. Past resentments bubble up as each sister is forced to face the "crimes of the heart" she has committed.

Show times Jan. 27-29 and Feb. 3-5 in the Brunner Theatre Center. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. • Buy tickets in advance

Dr. Jennifer Popple is the director and student Laura Bergren ’18 is the dramturg for "Crimes of the Heart." To dive a little deeper into the psychology of the characters, they will use a non-realistic set and have added stylized movement.

Dr. Popple said the set design should help the audience focus more on the characters, and the movement should help illuminate more about their deepest fears and desires.

“The play has been produced many times with a realistic setting and realistic acting. Knowing that history of it, and at this point in my directing career, I wanted to try to connect to the meaning of the play, and the energy under the surface, and incorporate a non-realistic set and some non-traditional movement,” she said.

“We hope the Magrath sisters’ stories will illuminate more of what anyone is capable of when they are stretched past their ordinary capacities,” said Bergren.

In collaboration with the director, the production team has researched in-depth and rehearsed with choreography to reach this unique interpretation.

“It has been a wonderful experiment and I have appreciated the contributions of so many students to the process,” said Popple.

Crimes of the Heart features Augustana students Lauren Clapp ’19, Sarah Baker ’18 and Elise Campbell ’19 as the sisters. The cast also includes Shyan DeVoss ’20, Liam Baldwin ’17 and Tristan Odenkirk ’20. Joe Oliger ’20 serves as stage manager.

The play by Beth Henley won the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was adapted into a film in 1986 and had three Academy Award nominations, including one for Henley for Best Adapted Screenplay.